Any chance on making the Burlington Northern Bicentenial locomotives? There were 3 of them, SDP40, U30C, and a SD40-2.
They sure would be nice.
Responce.
Thank-you for the suggestion regarding the BN Bicentennial locomotives. Please note that we currently do not have any plans o produce any of these models in these paint schemes. We will forward your suggestion on to the Product Development Group.
Sincerely,
Athearn Trains
What did the sd40-2 look like?
Well, If you care to try them yourself, Microscale makes the correct decals for all three locomotives. The paint job isn’t very difficult either. I did the 1876 wasy back when I still modeled the BN. It turned out great, but got destroyed when my house was felled by a tree.
The BN ‘Bicentennial’ engines have quite a story. Originally 2 engines were to be done:
1776 - U30C(IIRC)…
1976 - SD40-2
On the maiden run west from St Paul, the 1976 was damaged in a wreck. BN took an SDP40 that was being shopped and painted/renumbered it to 1976(to replace the wrecked SD40-2). The SD40-2 was then shopped at Dale St(St Paul) and re-emerged as the 1876. It’s second maiden run was as the point helper on the American Freedom Train leaving St Paul.
Jim Bernier
I would still like to see Athearn bring one of these Bicentennials out. From there last newsletter they added a Milwaukee Road Bicentennial locomotive.
Any BN modelers want to see one made in Burlington Northern? If so lets let Athearn know. I have e-mailed them and maybe if they know more people are interested they might put one out.
If Athearn did any, they would do the 1876. Atlas could do the 1776 (U30C) if they were of a mind. Should “someone” care to re-issue a decent SDP40, a Bicentennial scheme would be nice on that. So would a GN, BN, and BNSF for that matter.
Any of the above, I’ll buy.
Ed
I vote too for a SDP40, unit 1976 would be cool. I have enough sd40-2 running on my line. Although another U30C could be workable in my roster.
But I think a SDP40 in Burlington Northern Bicentennial paint would be quite nice.
I’m afraid I mispoke in my earlier comments: “Should ‘someone’ care to re-issue a decent SDP40…”
The word “re-issue” should have been “issue”. As written, it appears that I might accept a re-issue of Athearn’s old SDP40. Though a valiant attempt at the time of manufacture, it does not at all cut it today–I would not buy one of these.
Perhaps Athearn could alter the dies for its current SD40 and do the SDP40 (both with and without steam generators). I’m definitely down for something like that. It would, if fact, cancel out two of my “curent” projects BN “SDP40” and BNSF “SDP40”.
Ed
Well it looks like Atlas beat Athearn too it. I just ordered my #1776 U30C from Walthers. Advance reservations now, expected 31 Oct 2007. Makes a nice Christmas present for myself.
Mark
I’ll be gettin’ one!
Ed
Ed,
Better hurry, there a limited run and must be ordered by mid June according to Atlas.
Mark
Is the Master Silver Series loco’s Atlas’s top of the line offering?
Yes,
I believe the Silver line is the top offered at Atlas. It should be for a 139.95 price tag.
Mark
No. Master Gold Series is the top of the line. DCC sound equipped locos.
Thanks for clearing that up for me. Is the Silver the same as the Gold minus the decoder?
You really ought to just spend the extra money and get the Platinum. You won’t be sorry.
I dont think Atlas has a Platinum line as of yet. 
Silver is the top of the line without DCC/but has the plug for it or sound. Gold has the DCC and sound added.
Mark
Thank you.